May 19th, 2025
ELF Member Spotlight: Sioned Davies
Sioned Davies has gained a broad range of experience across planning and environmental law in both England and Wales. Sioned advises a wide range of clients including residential, commercial, energy, minerals and logistics developers, public bodies including the Welsh Ministers, and other interested parties.
She has appeared led and unled in hearings, at inquiries and in the courts (Magistrates, County Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal). She regularly appears as sole or junior counsel in significant multi-week inquiries, including on residential, renewable energy, or minerals development. Sioned has been named as the Birmingham Law Society Junior Barrister of the Year 2025 and is recognised as a leading junior under 35 (ranking in 3rd in 2024) by Planning Magazine.
Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to specialize in environmental law?
I have always been interested in land-use issues. When I studied law at University, planning and environmental law really grabbed my attention, partly because the regulatory and policy frameworks are always changing, and responding to some of the most important challenges of our day. That makes it an interesting area to study and to practice.
What motivated you to join ELF?
Since becoming a Barrister, ELF has provided some great opportunities to work on interesting environmental law cases, and they provide an important voice to communities who otherwise may not be able to gain legal representation. For that reason, I thought it would be a great organisation to join so that I could help out when I can.
How has working with the Environmental Law Foundation influenced your career and professional development?
It has certainly given me the opportunity to work on some exciting cases and on issues which are right at the fore of planning and development. That has helped me to develop my career at the Bar, and has furthered my professional development.
Can you share a memorable case or project you worked on through ELF that had a significant impact on the community or the environment?
I was recently involved in a case for Caernarfon Lân, a community interest group in Wales opposing a a gas-powered peaking plant.
They were ultimately successful in opposing the project which was a Development of National Significance (“DNS”) project in Wales.
With some help from some brilliant experts (specialising in air quality and noise) and some determination from the leaders of that group, Caernarfon Lan were able to achieve the result that they were seeking, which was very rewarding!
What are some of the unique opportunities or advantages you’ve experienced as a member of ELF compared to other professional networks or organisations?
ELF gives you the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge challenges and gives a platform for advocacy experience on some important environmental and planning law issues. In my view, that experience is invaluable and is what makes ELF special.
In your opinion, why should other legal professionals consider joining the Environmental Law Foundation, and what advice would you give to those who are interested in pursuing a career in environmental law?
If you’re interesting in becoming an environmental law specialist, ELF can provide you with valuable opportunities for advisory and advocacy work (in inquiries, hearings, and in the High Court as well as in other tribunals) that you might not otherwise have.